The Garden

Martin Sulik's poetic vision of reality offers an interesting probe into the relationship between an elderly father (Marian Labuda) and his son Jakub (Roman Luknar) in his early 30's. The main story is happening in the old garden, which belonged to Jakub's grand father. In this mysterious place he finds the peace he was looking for so desperately. What is even more important - the father and the son finally find the way to each other. Like in other Sulik's movies, the plot, story and tension are not the most important. This kind of poetic cinematography is more about the mood and quite hardly identifiable joy coming from "no one knows what". A timeless independent movie. Good work.

One of the best movies I have ever seen. A visually beautiful, modern fairy-tale. This movie can be enjoyed as a comedy with a witty plot and a perfect cast, and, as an essay in the history of culture with archetypical characters and situations. Sulik has a distinctive style of his own, which he continues to develop also in his latest work, "Orbis Pictus", but I think "Garden" is his best movie so far. If you ever get a chance to see it, do so - you will not regret.

A beautiful movie, with a dreamlike feel to it. The main character is Jakub who has fallen out with his father and has moved into a ramshackle house in the countryside. There is an overgrown garden and orchard.It is organised in chapters like a book, as Jakub encounters various odd visitors to the house and garden. Don't expect much of a message or action, just sit back and enjoy.

Jakub is a teacher living in a flat with his father. After some quarrels he is asked to leave. He found a place to live at his grandfather's raddled house among fields in the countryside. Jakub starts to live a calm life, repairing the house and big garden. From time to time he encounters strange visitors - man who wants to be saint and wants Jakub to wash his feet, man who exchanges his broken car for Jakub's pretty good car etc. And mainly he has one regular visitor....magical girl, Helena. Not working he's fired from his job and decides not to go back to the city. Sometimes his father comes to visit him and they relationship gets better. Jakub starts to teach at the local school and stays with Helena. Just watch the poetry of this jewel of Slovak cinematography. You're gonna love it.

I don't know what is making me to see this movie again and again. I think is something under the line I can not describe. For me it is absolutely amazing movie and all I can say about it is that you have to see it. It is not about being a masterpiece or having million dollar budget, it is about feelings that will stay inside you for a while after seeing this. I don't know if somebody can imagine to be in position of Jakub, but I would like to be on his place every time he is spending his time in garden where you can feel the touch of ages. I think for people outside of Slovakia it could be nice look into Slovakian way of thinking.

Enjoy